The MFEWS
Central America Weather Hazards and Benefits Assessment
For
May 21 – May 27, 2009
2
Hazards Assessment Text Explanation:
Favorable amounts of rainfall were observed throughout much of Central America in the last seven days. Precipitation totals between 25 and 75 mm were observed throughout many portions of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, with higher totals (100-150 mm) observed in the southern
Caribbean, producing additional ground moisture for parts of southern Costa Rica and Panama. Since the start of May, Primera rains have continued to remain near average throughout much of Central America, with the exception of some areas along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and near the Gulf of Fonseca region. In Guatemala, CONRED issued an alert on the sensitivity of landslide events in the San Andres Semetabaj municipality of the Solola department. Recent reports also indicated further risk for landslide potential in local areas within the departments of Alta Verpaz, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Totonicapan and El Quiche due to the saturation of soils from an wet Apante season.
Model forecasts show some potential for increased rainfall activity throughout the Caribbean. The circulation associated with a stationary tropical Low located near Cuba is expected to produce moderate amounts of rainfall across the northern part of Central America. Increased rains are also expected to continue toward the south, with totals in excess of 75 mm across regions of Costa Rica and Panama in the next seven days.
GFS Precipitation Forecast Valid: May 20
th– May 27
th, 2009
Source: NOAA / FEWSNET
The evaluation of climatological threats of MFEWS include the participation of the central and local offices of MFEWS, NOAA-CPC, USGS, NASA, INETER of Nicaragua, Meteorological Service of Honduras, IMN of Costa Rica, INSIVUMEH of Guatemala, ETESA of Panama, NMS of Belize and SNET of El Salvador. Any questions or comments on this product can be directed to Wassila.Thiaw@noaa.gov
